I get a lot of emails about Honeybee Health regarding diet, exercise etc. and thought I would use this post to answer some of these questions…..
Question: I was hoping you could do a post sometime about how you really started to eat healthy. My family is really big on eating lots of meat and carbs and I would like to start eating cleaner and generally healthier. Do you have any suggestions of a place to start?
Answer: Great question. I started eating healthy when I moved to California in High School. I just became really interested in researching all the nutrition info in things we were eating. There’s a big misconception that you shouldn’t eat meat and carbs. The key is choosing the right ones! I LOVE red meat! When selecting meats you always want to look for the leanest cuts. Bison (Buffalo), Filet Mignon and Flank are all very lean. Bison contains less fat and calories than a piece of grilled chicken breast!! So anytime I see a bison burger, steak or tenderloin I am ALL over it!!! When choosing ground beef I ALWAYS choose 95% lean!
As for carbs you guys know the drill. You want to have something with nutritional value and that will be filling. Whole wheat bread, rice and pasta are all good options. Quinoa is a great source of nutrients and protein as well. A sweet potato over a regular potato because the sweet potato is nutrient packed and lower on the glycemic index. Just making these simple substitutions will make a drastic impact!
Question: How many times a day do you workout?? Do you ever “diet” and if so which one?!
Answer: I only work out once in a day. Rarely have I ever done two workouts in one day. As for “dieting” I think I tried them all back in high school. Sugar Free, Fat Free, and Carb Free (and I was never even overweight so not sure why I did). I cant stress enough how much those diets backfire on you! You need carbs for energy. The key is just choosing the right carbs and practicing moderation in every aspect of your eating. Sugar Free was probably the worst one I ever tried. Sugar Free products contain malitol which can have “laxative like” side effects and also cause bloating. I never felt good or satisfied eating sugar free products. Over the passed 5 years Ive really come to a great place with my eating. No more diets it really is just a lifestyle. My theory is that if you eat good 80% of the time then you can indulge and enjoy that other 20% thats not so good for you.
Question: Hi Andee, love your blog, I was wondering if on your next Honeybee Health Post you can share what a typical workout looks like for you. I can’t believe you only work out 3 days a week that’s amazing! Is there a particular reason why you cut back on your work outs?
Answer: I used to work out 5 to 6 days a week. I now have been working out 3 (sometimes 4) days a week for the passed year and I have not notice one difference in the way I look. So why workout that extra day if I look the same?! (Again I think it does have a lot to do with the fact that I eat very clean 80% of the time).
Hope this isnt “TMI” but last year I went off birth control and its took me over 7 months to get my period. My husband wanted me to work out less (because I was also training for the San Fran 1/2 marathon) and give my body a break. Low and behold a couple months later I got my period (FINALLY!!) Im not sure if it was a coincidence or because I gave my body a break but it let me see that I didnt have to stress about being in the gym 5 days a week!
Question: I love your blog, and I have a few questions… what type of routine do you have, daily? I am looking to eat better and get a little more trim…I’m pretty thin but just feeling a little … chubby in the hips/midsection! Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you!
Answer: As far as working out I do Cardio 3 to 4 times a week for about 45 minutes. I also do strength training 2 to 3 times a week for about 25 minutes (lunges, squats, weights etc..) When i’m in the gym I PUSH myself. I want to be exhausted and dripping wet when I leave there. I do a “Shred n Tred” class at my gym which is awesome. Its a group running class on the tredmills with an instructor who tells you what incline to take it to and what speeds. Its constantly changing and keeps your body guessing which is awesome! I also take spin once a week and use the elliptical machine and stairclimber.
If you are already fairly thin and want to tone up I would just practice more strength training. I would look into a pilates class or something that focuses on strengthening your core. (again im not a certified fitness instructor but this is my opinion)
Question: What are your guidelines for eating? Do you only eat Oragnic food? and do you have any tips to share about eating out???
Answer: We are faced with hundreds of food decisions a day. Do I eat the homemade cookies that my co worker brought in? Do I have another margarita? Should I have that burger and fries? Im a BIG believer in listening to your body. If you are craving pizza have the pizza! If you want a Sprinkles cupcake…get down on that cupcake 😉 and dont beat yourself up about it (I still struggle to take my advice on that one) I think if you are eating really well 80% of the time (and be HONEST with yourself about if you are truly eating well) then enjoy that 20 % when you do splurge!
I eat very clean. Tons of veggies, grilled leans meats and whole grains. Pretty much you can always find this incorporated in all my meals. I use cheese sparingly and try to have my sugar in the form of dark chocolate and fruit. (Notice I said TRY 😉 I dont eat fried food. My guilty pleasures are wine and sweets so Id rather save my calories for those!
I eat MOSTLY organic because I really noticed a difference with how my body felt after eating non processed foods. I do have some things in my pantry that aren’t 100% organic but the majority are. Eating out is something you have to master. I always feel sorry for my waitress because I am that person that person who says “buffalo burger with the whole wheat bun, dry (because they slather on the butter and grill it) no cheese or mayo and salad with dressing on the side instead of fries. Yes its embarrassing and I always do it in the nicest way but im sure they want to spit in my food haha. Portion Sizes and deciphering the words on the menu are key to eating out. I will definitely do a post on this because there is so much to it! Before you go to dinner look at the menu online. If it is a chain restaurant you can even get the nutrition facts in each dish online.
I hope this was helpful and not to much info. I just get a lot of requests on this and thought I would share a little bit of my daily habits with you girls! Please let me know if you have any other questions!! xoxo
Thank you for sharing this information! This obviously is working well for you. I've noticed that sometimes medication can give you unpleasant side effects – such as weight gain. I do agree, the best diet is not to be on a diet but a healthy lifestyle. I look forward to reading more of your health posts! 🙂
After stalking your blog for a couple days…ha, I decided I wanted to start eating healthier like you. Thanks for the inspiration! I think the hardest thing for me is stopping my coffee and soda habit and also trying to drink more water! I usually go all day without one drop of water…CA-razy! xo
This is def helpful thank you so much for taking the time to answer all the questions and providing all these tips. You are right the diets esp the low carb one had me grumpy and did lose some weight but it creepos back up so quickly and was making me have headaches since I was slwoly eliminating carbs and sugar.
Great post Andee, I love your suggestions and advice. I am trying to lose five pounds before my birthday in September. I work out three days a week and also eat relatively clean most of the time. Still, I have struggled the past few months, and I think its due to stress. But I love that you consider all of this a lifestyle and not a diet. Diets don't work! Anyways, thanks again for the inspiration =)
this is such a great post! i really love getting your advice on exercise and nutrition! i also work out about 3 to 4 times a week and it's perfect. i watch what i eat, but i eat what i want and watch portions- i've seen a dramatic difference! i'm sure all the ladies and myself would like to see these health posts more often! 🙂
Andee– love your post! the TMI part– lol! i used to workout a lot in college and didn't get my period for 6 months! omg was i freaking out. i stopped for awhile and lo and behold, my period came.
i took a class on nutrition in college and I remember the professor telling us there's is a ceiling of how much benefit you reap from working out so i think it's not a bad thing that you went from 5-6 days to 3.
thanks for all these great tips, I'm def listening to you, sounds like you know what your talking about, and hello you have a killer figure! I just got re-inspired to live a healthier lifestyle through my food! I recently started training for a a half marathon in Oct- but my right knee is killing me during the runs, any advice? This never happened to me before during my last two half's!!
xo Carlina
I love this post Andee! I've been following your blog for a while now, & although I love your sense of Fashion I'm also very interested in your diet, you have a great slim body (I'm slim too but I'm not as healthy and I do have a little pouch) so reading about your diet and exercise really does help & motivate me to be in shape!
x
THanks so much for your insight–it's very encouraging!
Hey Andee, what do you do for a living if you don't mind me asking?
I wish I had more time to work out but I'm still a student and my schedule doesn't permit it. I get a three week break from school in about two weeks before my fall semester starts so I'm hoping I can push some gym time in between 🙂 school actually helps me eat better cause my mom always packs me diced fruits for snacks in between classes haha
<3 dani
Great advice for everyone…I am with you on the 80% eating clean…I can't handle the fried or processed food either! And wine is SO my guilty pleasure 🙂 XO
such a great post!! thanks for sharing!
Firstly…great post. You are a beautiful girl, in great shape and it is nice to hear you give solid sound advice… reminding people that you don't have to work out multiple times a day, be on a constant diet or NEVER cheat to look and feel great. Everything in moderation, that's my motto. Although I could probably handle a few more situps in my life…lol
C
thank you this was so helpful! Do you mind me asking, and feel free to tell me if it's too personal, approximately how much do you weigh? I'm seeing a trainer and he's asked me to list my goals I'm about your height and I think you have the perfect balance between muscle and tone. Thanks.
Thanks for the very insightful and helpful post about health, it's very inspirational. I'll have to refer back to this post on my next grocery shopping trip.
I really loved what you had to say. It is a breath of fresh air because you do have an amazing figure yet you eat and you are so smart about it. I love that you don't work out 24/7 or that you eat bad food sometimes. Very encouraging and makes me glad to feed my body real food instead of worrying about how many calories are in every little thing. Moderation is key, like you said!
Great post Andee!
Agh I loved this post! I agree 100% with everything you've said and have even said the same things in my own blog. Don't over train, enjoy things in moderation, and fuel your body with only the best. After all, you wouldn't put some crap oil in your car if you had Ferrari, right?
This is such great, inspiring information! Thank you!
I LOVE your diet/health tips. I'm hooked on PB2 thanks to you!
thanks ladies for all your response. IM SO GLAD you girls are just as interested in this as I am!
@Jet I hear you! Im a huge coffee junkie too! I just try to keep mine as low cal as possible. Check your favorite coffee spot online and see how many calories your favorite drink is packing and then see if you can find a better option! xo
@anonymous i am 5'4 and weigh 115 lbs.@Ping i know so crazy right?! I was so stressed about it so that didnt help either. Sometimes we just have to listen to our bodies and take it easy 🙂 @Cheryl thanks love! you look great as well so it seems to be working for you too! xo
You're so awesome for sharing this info! I can't believe you didn't get your period for 7 months after getting off bc. I'm a little surprised and also really glad you shared that info though we don't know for sure if working out was the problem. I'm sure it was a combination of a lot of things, but I'm thankful you shared that with us.
Great post, thanks so much for sharing your tips!
Thank you so much for doing this post! It is so unbelievably helpful and motivating to hear that it's really simple changes that can start making a difference! I'm just starting to get into weight training because I'm thin but I've lost muscle definition which just makes me look soft and pudgier than I should for my weight!
This is a great post, very inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Another question fir you, do you have a certain calorie goal that you try to meet?
I just started reading your blog a couple weeks ago and was wondering what your workout routine was! thank you for posting this. out of curiosity, i'm sure you've posted this before, but what do you do? 🙂
Thanks so much for this great info Andee! You're truly an inspiration! I try to workout as much as I can and eat cleaner! You are very right about this being a lifestyle choice. How do schedule your workouts? Daily or weekly? By the way, have you ever tried any workouts from beachbody?
This is such a great post, thank you for sharing! That's why I love reading your blog- you are inspiring, knowledgeable, and BEAUTIFUL inside and out!
You girl are so amazing! Thank you for your kind responses. Im really glad its inspiring for all of you! xoxo
@Venice no i havent tried beach body! what is it?! I really want to start getting into pilates. I think i will give it a go when i get to miami. I dont really schedule my workouts I just know by sunday I need to 3 to 4 check marks on my calendar! (i make a highlighted slash on my calendar to keep track of how many days ive worked out)
Beach body is a company that sells different types of workout videos depending on your needs. I don't know if you've heard of p90x but that's where it came from. I haven't tried it myself. Looks too intense for my liking. But that is a better way of keeping track of your workouts. I tend to beat myself if I haven't done my scheduled workouts since I try to do something specific on a certain day. I'll try to do it your way – seems easier! Pilates is great! I've done sessions of it and tried incorporating some movements into my workouts as well. I find that you would need to focus more because it's so concentrated on your core while you add other movements to slim other parts of your body! I'm sure you'll love and do great! Thanks for the response and hope you come out with more posts like this!
Hi Andee, I'm not sure if someone has already commented or mentioned this to you but a big contributor to you not getting your period back after getting off the pill/contraception is that you don't have enough fat in your diet. If you have organic meat, then you should not cut out so much of the fat. Fat is hard for the body to metabolize and it does not make you put on weight if you have the right proportions. It is also required for the metabolism of your sugars and protein. It is also much needed for the production/regulation of your hormones. I have some friends who had the same issue as you and they had much difficulty in conceiving and they were on a low fat diet for a lot of their adult life. I don't mean to be preachy but it just seems like you do tend to favour low/non-fat food items. Hope my 2c helps. All the best x
@Venice yes i have heard about p90x but not beach body! ill def have to look into that!!! @anonymous thank you for the tip but i feel like i do eat a lot of "healthy" fats but in any case thanks for sharing and ill keep that in mind!! xo
I loved this post! I read all of your posts at work (cuz that's usually when you update) and for some reason, I could not comment on any blogs from my office, so half the time I forget to come back – Oh and my coworkers and I just placed an order of PB2 Peanut butter based on your rec. Cannot wait to try it since i'm a peanut butter freak!
xo,
Helena
@Helena thanks lovely! Let me know how you like the PB2! I hope you got the chocolate pb2 as well! Great natural alternative without all the fat and calories~xo
Yes! Got both – but of course!! Can't wait to try it. It's coming to me on Monday!
xo,
Helena
I love this post and thank you for sharing! I found your blog through Maria's @ A Life to Bragg About and I am loving it so far! You're absolutely gorgeous and congrats on your pregnancy! My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I'm having trouble getting my period as well since going off the pill, which was about 7 months ago. The doctor has recommended I cut back on my workouts like you did, and it helps to hear that your experience in doing that was a positive one. It's hard mentally to cut back but my body is obviously telling me to slow down! Thanks again for sharing your story and I look forward to following you more! 🙂